Police K-9 And His Trooper Recover After Hopkinton Car Crashed Into Cruiser

A Massachusetts State Trooper and his police dog who were hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle on the interstate are expected to recover, authorities say.

MSP K9 Unit Trooper Ken Hanchett and his partner Orry
Photo Credit: *Massachusetts State Police*

Morgan Gonzales

12/20/2022 10:58 a.m.

The car crash occurred while State Trooper Ken Hanchett and his K-9 partner Orry were on duty protecting a construction crew on I-495 in Hopkinton in the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 19, the State Police Association of Massachusetts said on Facebook.

A vehicle heading southbound struck the Hanchett's cruiser, causing both the trooper and the dog to be rushed off the scene for medical care.

Hanchett was sent to UMass Medical Center, and Orry was sent to Foster Hospital for Animals on Tufts Veterinary Campus, thanks to Nero's law. The law, passed in 2018, allows police dogs to be sent for medical care when injured in the line of duty.

Despite serious injuries, both Hanchett and Orry are recovering, Massachusetts State Police tweeted in the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 20.

"The message today is simple, SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER,” said State Police Association of Massachusetts President Patrick McNamara. No other injuries were reported.

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